Coordinator, Program - Niger State at Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL)

Summary of the Role: 

• TaRL Africa is supporting the Niger State Government to implement the Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL) program in the state. The Niger Program Coordinator will lead and coordinate this implementation in close collaboration with the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), State Ministry of Education, and other key stakeholders.
• The coordinator will be responsible for programme planning, stakeholder engagement, and effective field execution, ensuring alignment with TaRL Africa’s strategic objectives and donor commitments. Key responsibilities include overseeing teacher and mentor capacity building, facilitating state-level coordination and technical working groups, managing 
• partnerships, and ensuring strong programme monitoring and reporting systems. The Coordinator will supervise program assistants, serve as the primary liaison with Niger State agencies and partners, and ensure high-quality delivery, continuous learning, and sustainability of TaRL implementation across the state.

Major roles and responsibilities:

Programme Planning & Coordination (30%)

• Lead state-level planning, ensuring programme objectives, timelines, and budgets are achieved.
• Coordinate across TaRL Africa internal teams (Training, Pedagogy, PM&I, Finance/Admin) to deliver integrated support in Niger.
• Support Niger SUBEB, Niger Ministry of Education to embed TaRL into state education systems and planning processes.

Stakeholder & Partnership Engagement (25%)

• Serve as the primary liaison with Niger SUBEB, Ministry of Education in Niger.
• Facilitate joint planning and review meetings with government and Partners.
• Strengthen government ownership by supporting institutionalization of TaRL in policies, budgets, and teacher management structures.

Teacher, Mentor & School Support (20%)

• Oversee design and delivery of TaRL training for teachers, headteachers, mentors, LGEA officials and other stakeholders.
• Provide technical guidance to Assistants in coaching/mentoring teachers and school visits.
• Ensure challenges from the field are escalated and resolved within school terms.

Monitoring, Reporting & Learning (15%)

• Ensure timely data collection and reporting in collaboration with PM&I colleagues.
• Synthesize programme progress for donor and government reporting.
• Document innovations, challenges, and lessons from Niger for cross-state learning.

Team Management & Capacity Strengthening (10%)

• Supervise and mentor assistants and field staff.
• Support professional development of team members.
• Ensure effective collaboration across PMP and other teams.

Working Relationships

Internal:

• Interacts with Nigeria programme team (Programme Management & Partnerships, PM&I, Pedagogy and Training, Finance & Admin).
• Collaborates with Central TaRL Africa teams and Country Director.
• Coordinates with Niger based staff.

External:

• Engages with Niger SUBEB, Ministry of Education and school-level officials (headteachers, mentors, teachers).
• Maintains relationships with government partners, and implementing NGOs active in Niger.
• Represents TaRL Africa in state-level forums, technical working groups, and stakeholder meetings.

Key Competencies

• Leadership & Coordination: Ability to manage multiple stakeholders and guide teams towards shared goals.
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to align programme implementation with broader policy and system goals.
• Problem-Solving: Creative and adaptive in addressing implementation challenges.
• Interpersonal Skills: Strong ability to build and sustain relationships with government, partners, and communities.
• Results Orientation: Focused on delivering measurable improvements in teaching and learning.

Education and Qualifications 

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in education, Social Sciences, Development Studies, or related field. (Master’s degree preferred).
• 4–6 years of relevant experience, including programme management, education delivery, or NGO/government coordination.
• Experience working with out-of-school-children and state governments in Nigeria, ideally in education.
• Demonstrated experience in teacher training, capacity building, or programme delivery at scale.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Excellent communication skills in English; proficiency in Hausa is Required.
• Willingness to travel frequently within Niger State and occasionally outside the state.